Hi my name is Jess and I am new to this site, I am trying to find out whats going on with my Golden boy and hope someone can help.

Kody is going to be 8 yrs on July 6. He is an active 76lb dog, jumps around on his back legs like a kangaroo. A week ago we noticed him limping on his front R leg, we kept an eye on him and after a day or so of not getting better I took him to the vet. She took bloodwork (normal) and said he was lame. Maybe he came down funny on that leg or fell down the stairs when we were not around..we still dont now. She sent him home with pain meds. a few days later its started swelling, it was massive. Had my friend look at him and she said he should be looked at (she works at a vets office) I took him to a different vet as I was not pleased with the first one. This vet was shocked at the amount of swelling, she took his temp. it was 40.3 and she was FLOORED that he was standing and walking around and eating without vomitting. She advised that I leave him on IV for the day and get fluids in him. SHe called me a few hours later and the fever was going up and down. She said that she thought he has Osteocarsanoma..bone cancer. She said that seems to fit. Gave me meds. Medicam and some anti-infammitores and sent him home over he weekend. She said she would call tomorrow and see how things are going and set up and xray.
The swelling has gone down some, its still huge and its become a bit hard, not mushy like it was. His shoulder seems to be the source of pain. He sleeps most of the day, eating well and drinking. He seems normal Kody to me..ball in mouth!!! But seems "old" all of a sudden also, it so sad. My heart is breaking, I am so scared that it is cancer but hoping that its something else we can treat. He is still so young and I am not ready to say goodbye.

Has anyone else gone through this??? I have two young children that adore their dog and I am just so lost.

Oh Jess, I'm so sorry. I'm glad you started a new thread so many of our members with experience can see and respond. I so hope that you can get a definitive diagnosis soon and start whatever treatment is needed. Do you have ticks in your area? If so, make sure they run all the tests for determining any ( and all) tick borne diseases. I would be surprised that cancer would be suspected with a high temp. Do you have a vet school close by?

I so hope that you get answers soon and that those with more info that I will chime in soon. I will keep you and your family, and of course Kody in my prayers.

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Betty and the Dallas crew

“Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened.” A. France

Thanks. I thought about a tick, he has a small bump on that swollen leg and I have a hard time thinking that cancer bumps would just appear all of a sudden with this going on. I will have to take a good look in all that golden fur.

Ticks can cause all sorts of disease, some quite serious so I would make sure that they test for them (even if you don't find a tick now). Here is a site that gives alot of info http://www.dogsandticks.com/index.html The x-ray too will be an important diagnosiic tool.

__________________

Betty and the Dallas crew

“Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened.” A. France

Thanks for the website (penny and maggies mom) the first list of symptoms for lyme disease Kody has a ton of those symptoms... I am going to check him now. You've made my weekend..not that I want that either, I just want my golden boy healthy.

I found a bump on that leg, its tiny and white and sticking out. My parents are on there way over as they pull ticks from their dog all the time and they are going to look...My heart is racing...I hope thats it. Now any suggestions for hot spots?? he is licking tghe iv wound and its bright red?? bandages??

There are many here with lots of experience/ info on tick borne disease. I hope they'll chime in soon. I doubt you would find the tick now, as the disease takes time to develop. But I sure would have all the TBD tests done asap. Treatment is usually a long course of antibiotics if I remember right. Jill... Tippy... Linda.. where are you????

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Betty and the Dallas crew

“Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened.” A. France